Pages

Wednesday, 23 July 2014

Nick Clegg: LGBT Rights Are Human Rights

Nick Clegg paid a visit to Pride House in Glasgow today to hear about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights across the Commonwealth and sports.

Almost 80% of Commonwealth countries (42 out of 53 countries) represented in Glasgow this week criminalise homosexuality in some way. Pride House is an LGBT space set up to promote diversity at the Games and within the Commonwealth.

Speaking at Pride House, Nick Clegg said:

"We’ve come a long way in this country towards achieving the genuine equality that LGBT people have always wanted and deserved. This includes last year’s landmark equal marriage reform. Yet there’s still a huge amount to be done across the world.

"As we celebrate the bravery of Olympians who have come out - Tom Daley, Ian Thorpe or Nicola Adams for example – some countries are taking backward steps; putting their LGBT Olympians so far back in the closet that they can’t ever imagine their day in the open.

"We can’t dictate how other nations behave but we can promote the principles we believe in – of a fair and open society both in the UK and abroad."

In response to the passage of Uganda's new draconian anti-homosexuality law, an LGBT policy review is being set up and led by Lynne Featherstone.

Speaking about the review, Nick Clegg said:

"When it’s published, I hope it will help us hardwire LGBT rights into our entire human rights agenda - through every bilateral meeting, every multilateral relationship and every corner of the world.

“The message is clear: LGBT rights are human rights. So we need LGBT protections to be a part of anti-discrimination laws everywhere.

“This means absolutely continuing to support LGBT campaigners on the ground around the world – they are the key to change in their local communities and countries.

“It means talking to multi-national businesses to encourage them to make the business case against homophobia.

“Love is the same – whichever village, town, city, country or continent you live in. It binds people together and makes communities stronger.

“I will continue to say that to all those people in power, or not, who seek to deny these freedoms to others across the world.

“I believe in the principle that you should leave no one behind - regardless of race, gender, age, creed, or sexual orientation.”